Over the years, we’ve spent a lot of hours working to improve our time management and organizational skills at work. But when was the last time we spent even one hour focused on time management outside of the workplace? Our free time has become more crowded with things to do and things that did not get done. We are a society of hurry up, start this, finish that. Some may even look forward to Monday morning’s arrival, so they can have an excuse to escape from all the things they weren’t able to accomplish in their spare time.

Time for Change

Now is a good moment to reflect on how we want to spend our time.

BY FRAN CARVILLE, CRM, CARCO AWARDS/CARCOAWARDS.COM

(Originally printed in the November/December 2022 issue of Insights.)

Over the years, we’ve spent a lot of hours working to improve our time management and organizational skills at work. But when was the last time we spent even one hour focused on time management outside of the workplace? Our free time has become more crowded with things to do and things that did not get done. We are a society of hurry up, start this, finish that. Some may even look forward to Monday morning’s arrival, so they can have an excuse to escape from all the things they weren’t able to accomplish in their spare time.

If we keep exiting the weekend with feelings of inadequacy because of all we’ve left undone, we have to realize that there is a better way. So, how can we get more done in those precious hours outside of work? Where can we find more time to do what must be done and still find time to relax with family and friends? Start with these suggestions.

JUST SAY “NO”

The telephone rings. You pick it up and hear, “have you got a second?” Most of the time, we give an automatic response of “yes.” Doing so gives the caller a blank check for our time. How many times have you wanted to say “no” in that situation? Because saying “yes” too often can leave you with no time for your own priorities, you need to learn to say “no.”

• Trust yourself. If that little voice inside your head is screaming “no,” say “no.”
• Don’t get caught up in the moment. It’s easy to agree to a commitment if someone is heaping praise on you: “You did such a good job as chairperson last year. Everyone said so.” When they ask you to chip in again, it’s easy to say yes after the great things that were just said about you. But if you’re looking for more free time and less commitments, “yes” is the wrong answer.
• Volunteer, but don’t get volunteered. Volunteers are what make many organizations run. Having said that, make sure you have the time to commit, and don’t let anyone try to get you to commit time you don’t have.
• Be clear about “no.” When you don’t want to commit to something, don’t use phrases like “let me think about it” or “I’m not sure.” Use the word “no” even if it makes you uncomfortable.

DON’T WASTE TIME

Look at where you waste time, and see if you can use those hours more effectively.

• According to efficiency consultant Michael Fortino, the average person spends 110,000 hours of their life watching television. That’s 13 years. While watching something you enjoy can be a good use of time, evaluate how much time you want to spend on this activity and if you want to spend some of those hours on a higher priority.
• It’s so easy to lose track of time online while you play games, visit social media sites and shop for something you don’t need. The next time you go online, check the time when you start and be prepared to be shocked when you finally move on.
• According to Ralph Goings, an efficiency consultant, the average American spends 45 minutes complaining every day. Consider everything we complain about: the economy, increased prices, neighbors, customers, the government. Is five hours every week too much for this activity?

PLAN YOUR TIME

If you take 10–15 minutes to plan your time off, you will get more done and be more organized. Here are three tips to help make you feel more accomplished with your down time.

• Create a to-do list for your time off. Include what you must do, what you should do and what would be nice to do if time allows. Prioritize your list.
• Don’t wait until the last minute to tackle big projects. This happens for many people in December. With so much to do during the holiday season—shopping, cooking, entertaining—it can be overwhelming because your regular obligations don’t disappear. This year, skip the holiday party you don’t enjoy or cut down on your cooking menu by just one dish if you have family coming in. Don’t be afraid to delegate a few items on your holiday list to others, too.
• Always leave time for fun. If your free time is filled with tasks you don’t enjoy, you won’t have time for what’s really important.

FOUND TIME

Is there anything better than suddenly having a little unplanned free time? Your doctor’s appointment gets canceled, a commitment only took half the time allotted or an event you were obligated to attend is rained out. You are suddenly free. Wouldn’t it make sense to schedule this free time on a regular basis? There are lots of ways to make this dream a reality.

• Wake up 30 minutes earlier. Dedicate those 30 minutes to just one goal—something you never seem to have time for: exercising, reading a book or getting organized for the day. That adds up to three and a half hours of “found time” in a week.
• Evaluate your tasks. Most of us have items we hate doing that take up our time. Could you pay someone to take over one of those tasks? If you hate mowing the lawn or cleaning the house, hire someone and give yourself time to do something you enjoy.

Time passes. Are you spending your free time engaged in activities that have top priority in your life? Are you happy with how you are currently spending your free time? Henry Ford once famously said, “Whether you think that you can or you can’t, you are usually right.” So, get moving on the things you want to do because you can.

Fran Carville, CRM, is an Awards and Personalization Association past president, educational speaker, 2008 Speaker of the Year, a member of the Hall of Fame, and winner of an Award of Excellence from the APEX Awards for Publication Excellence. Fran and her husband, Tom Carville, CRM, own Carco Awards in Baton Rouge, LA.

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